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rramadasstoday at 8:31 AM3 repliesview on HN

Nuclear Submarines are an outstanding marvel of technology and the men serving on them are the most trained and psychologically conditioned of all people. From a philosophical/psychological/physiological pov i think of them as sharing a lot of the characteristics of hardcore monks/yogis. Both must have absolute self-control at all times and follow a strict unbending discipline.

The following are some good resources;

Fast Attacks and Boomers: Submarines in the Cold War - https://americanhistory.si.edu/subs/index.html An online exhibition from the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Lots of cool pictures.

How Nuclear-Powered Submarines Actually Work - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTCNwRvUcuo An in-depth interview with David Marquet, a former US Navy submarine commander. Includes short but great clips of the insides of a submarine.

Life On A Submarine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZbJYfyIoeo A short documentary on the British Navy submarines.

Life on board a British nuclear submarine - https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/aug/21/life-on-board-nuc... A nice article from a reporter who went through the experience.

Submarine Insider on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Submarineinsider


Replies

kasey_junktoday at 10:04 AM

My cousin served more than a decade on nuclear subs and he is one of the least yogi/monk like people I’ve met. Virtually no one who knows him would say he exhibits lots of self control.

He just isn’t bothered by tight spaces or being underwater and he liked the regimented life the navy provided because it made up for his own lack of internal discipline.

I don’t know if he is normal or not on submarines but you certainly don’t have to be some guru to serve on them.

firecalltoday at 9:49 AM

Wow, that National Museum of American History website is time capsule!

Preserved in pristine condition since the year 2000!

dudefelicianotoday at 10:32 AM

Philosophically and psychologically I don’t think any monk of any religion would approve working on a weapon capable of razing cities to the ground.

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